Considering moving to Maine, but Gov. LePage scares me..... (Portland: home, neighborhoods)

[FlowerPower00]

Originally Posted by blueskiesforever

I am just going to stop looking at these forums, because you all keep missing the point that I need good schools for my kids AND proximity to Portland, so my ONLY options are Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth, and Falmouth, and they look insanely dull and are outrageously expensive, with few homes available. In other parts of the world it is possible to have a high quality of life, good schools, and affordable housing, but not in Maine, apparently. It is two out of three at best.

Sounds like you would be awesome in Boston or some other place such as Connecticut.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by blueskiesforever

I am just going to stop looking at these forums, because you all keep missing the point that I need good schools for my kids AND proximity to Portland, so my ONLY options are Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth, and Falmouth, and they look insanely dull and are outrageously expensive, with few homes available. In other parts of the world it is possible to have a high quality of life, good schools, and affordable housing, but not in Maine, apparently. It is two out of three at best.

You talk about Portland, and we get it that you only want to live in the most urban city with the highest priced homes, we get it.

Then you say it is not possible to have a high quality of life, good schools, and affordable housing, in Maine. We keep telling you that these things are possible in Maine.

You want things, but you want to find those things in a specific area where you will only find the opposite.

You are disappointed with Portland. We understand. Don't slam Maine. Maine does offer a high quality of life, and good schools, and affordable housing.

[blueskiesforever]

Submariner, I am saying that there are good schools in Maine. There is affordable housing, and there is a high quality of life, but they just don't exist all at once in one place there. You are happy because your kids are grown, so you don't care about the schools. You may also be retired, so with grown kids, and possibly not a full-time job, proximity is not important for you. It is just like comparing apples and oranges. Maine is a fine place for many, and it is ok, but not at all optimal, for people in the earlier parts of their careers with kids in Kindergarten-Middle School who like to keep busy, and have years ahead of them where governmental policies will directly effect their lives. I need one affordable town with great schools, proximity, vibrancy that you don't have to go out of town for, and affordable homes with choices. I have found that elsewhere, and I am just a little surprised/sad that it is not available in Maine.

[blueskiesforever]

Does anyone know if there are any plans to clean up that mess of cargo containers and stuff that you see when you go over the South Portland bridge? It looks like LA or Houston. I am glad you like SoPo, Squidworth, I couldn't do it.

[HighTechRocker]

Are you really asking if they going to tidy up the International Marine Terminal and the Maine Port Authority for you? Stop trolling... seriously.

[jeneric13]

Try Scarborough.

[znlwovuhrjw]

Originally Posted by blueskiesforever

I am just going to stop looking at these forums, because you all keep missing the point that I need good schools for my kids AND proximity to Portland, so my ONLY options are Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth, and Falmouth, and they look insanely dull and are outrageously expensive, with few homes available. In other parts of the world it is possible to have a high quality of life, good schools, and affordable housing, but not in Maine, apparently. It is two out of three at best.

I'm afraid that if you aren't willing to pony up the money in Maine, you're going to find the same thing wherever you go. Maine happens to be one of the more universally decent places to live no matter where you pick (thank god). You pay cheap, you get cheap in other states; that's just the way it is, but I think it's NOT completely like that in Maine.

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by blueskiesforever

Submariner, I am saying that there are good schools in Maine. There is affordable housing, and there is a high quality of life, but they just don't exist all at once in one place there. You are happy because your kids are grown, so you don't care about the schools. You may also be retired, so with grown kids, and possibly not a full-time job, proximity is not important for you. It is just like comparing apples and oranges. Maine is a fine place for many, and it is ok, but not at all optimal, for people in the earlier parts of their careers with kids in Kindergarten-Middle School who like to keep busy, and have years ahead of them where governmental policies will directly effect their lives. I need one affordable town with great schools, proximity, vibrancy that you don't have to go out of town for, and affordable homes with choices. I have found that elsewhere, and I am just a little surprised/sad that it is not available in Maine.

Maine is a rural state.....you are seeking an urban/suburban environment. No prob......good luck!

[jeneric13]

I really do think South Portland is a great place to raise kids.
SoPo So Good - South Portland's Renaissance - Maine

But I definitely agree with everyone else (in this thread and others) that you probably won't be happy here.

I came here from a major metro area and really really had to let a lot of my expectations go before I truly saw Maine for what it is. And I absolutely love it here now and I never want to live anywhere else. If you open up a little, you might feel the same way.

I'm mixing threads now, but about the schools... all of those numbers are arbitrary. If you are a literate and numerate parent, your children will be, too. What matters in school is the connection made between teacher and student. Let me tell you, there are some really caring and dedicated teachers here.

[blueskiesforever]

Thanks, Jeneric! Can you tell me what you let go of and what you opened up to, specifically? And, no, I am not asking the wreck that is the Maine terminal be cleaned up for me, but for everyone. I would think Mainers would be up in arms about that place, as it is really yucky. I visited "SoPo", and I think that they should lose the nickname, as it is pretty awful. Although I currently live in a place with one just as bad, "WeHa". At least they have the tagline "we have it all" to go with it!

Anyway, my impressions of South Portland were based on my visit to a bakery there someone recommended. When I got to the bakery, there was no parking, so I parked in front of the oil fill pipe. Then I went in and asked if it was ok if I parked there. The staff said, "well, that is the boss's parking space, but if you are not going to be here long, then it is fine." I thought that was not very nice, since I was a customer, but whatever. I actually had been planning to sit and have some coffee and read the paper. I was hoping this place would be a local gathering place. Then I looked around and realized it had NO tables. I bought some things and had to eat them in my car. The shop was cute, and the food was good, but all I could think of was, "Why did I drive to this isolated place in a residential neighborhood just to eat in my car, where I had to feel like I was taking up the boss's parking space?" There was a run down food shop next door which the bakery staff told me had not been open in years. Not exactly the vibrant neighborhood I had been hoping for. I saw some ok looking strip malls and houses, churches, etc. on my way there, but I also am really worried about the pipeline issues near South Portland in the future. It just seems like a risky place to be, but I will read the article, thank you.

I learned about a place online called Cape Whoopies in Cape Elizabeth. Found the address and tried to visit. Turns out it is a business that only fills orders out of someone's house, and not an actual shop. So maybe these things will help explain my overall disappointment with Portland. I enjoyed getting gelato at the Old Port, and I was happy to see that there was a Fleet Feet there and a natural mattress store, but that is more for me and the husband. There really is nothing about the Old Port for kids.

But, I did learn about two things on my own which have some promise recently, the Compass Project, and the new science center that is opening.

I find it ironic that people keep pointing me toward Scarborough and saying things about the suburbs. I actually hate suburbs.